Post by saw on Oct 18, 2013 18:40:09 GMT -5

Just caught a bunch of minnows and some craw fish today.. I put them in the freezer in small bunches. was thinking of using them on mink and coon. Was wondering if anyone had any ideas of how to use the bait should i leave them whole or grind them up should i grind the minnow and crawdad together. This is my first year trapping. Im a 45 year old newbe. Any help would be appreciated..

Post by hardwoodcharlie on Oct 18, 2013 19:20:21 GMT -5

you can use them both ways with fair results,but i would highly recomend using some comercial baits and lures it can get real discouraging checking empty sets,the fist thing youre going to do is wonder what youre doing wrong and chances are its most of the time a lure or bait isue,as long as you are on location.i would make multiple sets per location one useing your own bait and one useing comercial,by doing this you eliminate the what if factor. hope this helps

Post by saw on Oct 18, 2013 19:28:40 GMT -5

Thank you It does help, Any suggestions are welcome.. I used to go with an older gentleman to check his traps.. He taught me a lot about rats. But now that i'm starting to do it myself, i'm sorta duh. lol The old gentleman i went with passed away so hard to ask him.

Post by jms862 on Oct 18, 2013 19:34:39 GMT -5

Crayfish is a fine bait for mink and coon I grind mine freeze in small portions that I will use up in a day or so you can always take more out if you need to but you can't put it back once its bad I also do a quart or two for winter minking with about 3/8 cup of salt per quart to freeze proof and a shot of vodka per quart to lift the smell a little

Post by hardwoodcharlie on Oct 18, 2013 20:01:02 GMT -5

being on location is the most important aspect to trapping,then make good sets but keep them as simple and subtle as possible,im not a pro mink trapper but the ones I do happen to catch 90% are in blind sets,as far as baits and lure go there are a ton to choose from,my self I highly remomend Night Owl Lures, there lures are top shelf. and study youre target animals the more you know him and how he lives the better you will do.

Post by crayfishbob on Oct 21, 2013 6:55:42 GMT -5

Transporting minnows captured by yourself over the road is illegal in New York state. If a game warden checks you you are in trouble. Buying bait from bait shops require reciept for transport down the road. Its the law and I would hate to see a trapper get in trouble. PM me and maybe I can help you.

Post by jimblakley on Oct 21, 2013 7:27:53 GMT -5

Transporting minnows captured by yourself over the road is illegal in New York state. If a game warden checks you you are in trouble. Buying bait from bait shops require reciept for transport down the road. Its the law and I would hate to see a trapper get in trouble. PM me and maybe I can help you.

This Is the reason I stopped using Minnows ! MN. has a very similar law . I now buy my bait from a commercial fisherman .

Post by crayfishbob on Oct 21, 2013 7:56:19 GMT -5

The laws were enacted because the federal government mandated all lakes that bordered the great lakes including Lake champlain to make their own laws regarding baitfish. The aquaculture industry became alarmed about a pathogen called Viral hemmegeratic septecimia, ( VHS ). I was heavily involved with the law making process and revisions as we know it today. Nothing to do with the fishermen , but the harvesting and transport by commercial bait dealers.

We are all products of laws and regulations. I hate the 220 law in ny. Its because a careless trapper cought a dog downstate. Now it can happen, but I've never got a dog. Keep in mind the proximity of your traps and baited traps from that happening. Trapping is a heritage, a privilege.

I plan on using my minnows I harvest this week and be legal to use for coon. I wanted to keep that one quiet, but you know, we must help another !

Let me introduce myself, I'm Bob and I've been trapping for 47 years. Central NY is my home. I've been doing other things, but I'm trapping again. Support your local businesses, especially Jim at southshore sportsman. We go WAY back.

Live crayfish frozen in my freezer ? I wonder why I did that ! LOL!!! I've been feeding them where there is muddy tracks. There is no better coon bait. They will stink soon enough in the back of my car !

Post by huntbeagles86 on Oct 21, 2013 9:21:24 GMT -5

Transporting minnows captured by yourself over the road is illegal in New York state. If a game warden checks you you are in trouble. Buying bait from bait shops require reciept for transport down the road. Its the law and I would hate to see a trapper get in trouble. PM me and maybe I can help you.

once the minnows are salted your fine to do as you please it live bait they don't want transported

Post by crayfishbob on Oct 21, 2013 18:06:58 GMT -5

This is my point exactly. Misinformation and not really knowing the law can get you in trouble. Trappers get the finger pointed at them Read the regulations on trapping.

So.... Set this correctly. Read the regulations I know well on baitfish. You will have to convince the game warden you are using them for trapping, I would guess. If you have a fishing pole in hand or a net, minnow trap, ect, you will have to explain exactly what you are doing.

Any dead fish, or parts thereof excluding eggs, that are legal to possess and are not prohibited for use as bait (see restricted baitfish species), that have been packaged for commercial sale and have been preserved by methods other than by freezing only (i.e. salted minnows) can be used in any water body were it is legal to use fish as bait and do not require a receipt. Each package of dead bait fish must be individually labeled, identifying the name of the packager B processor, the name of the species, the quantity of fish contained and the means of preservation.

Things get sticky with regulations. My simple point. Just be sure what you guys are doing out there guys. Theres nothing greater than seeing a red fox dancing or catching your first coon. I remember exactly where I got mine. ( its my new muskrat spot now ).

Post by oldman50 on Oct 21, 2013 18:19:02 GMT -5

Personally, I believe you'll have much better results with commercial baits. Coon will eat just about anything, and I catch way more mink in blind trail sets and edge sets. As far as that minnow law, I'm really,really biting my tongue. I get in trouble when I speak sometimes. Bottom line, sweet bait works great for the coon.